How to Apply for Benefits
To receive veterans benefits, you’ll need to apply for them by contacting the Veterans Administration. Here’s the information you’ll need to have on hand to expedite your claim. Visit our Resources section for related forms.
Social Security number for yourself and your dependent children
Certified copy of original DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
Certified copy of Death Certificate
Verification of the life insurance amount you will receive as a result of the veteran’s death
Paid receipts for hospital and doctor bills incurred by last illness, if applicable
Paid receipts for funeral and cemetery expenses
(If either yourself or the veteran was previously married) a certified copy of the original divorce decree or death certificate proving the previous marriage was dissolved by divorce or death
(If there are dependent children under age 18) an original birth certificate for each child
(If there dependent children over age 18 who are still in school) an original birth certificate for each child PLUS a completed VA Form 21-674
(If you or the veteran receive Social Security Benefits, the exact amount must be reported
(If you already have a VA claim number), the claim number you have been assigned
(If you or the veteran already receive additional income) the source and exact amount Benefits
Benefits for Burial Expenses
If the death was connected to the deceased’s miltary service, the VA will provide up to $2,000 in benefits for burial expenses (for deaths on or after September 11, 2001). If the veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, some of all of the cost of transporting the deceased may be reimbursed.
If the death was NOT connected to miltary service and occurred on or after October 1, 2019, the VA will provide:
- up to $796 toward burial and funeral expenses (If properly hospitalized by the VA at the time of death) OR up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses (If NOT properly hospitalized by the VA at the time of death)
- up to $796 for a plot interment allowance (if not buried in a national cemetary)
An annual increase in burial and plot allowances for deaths occurring after October 1, 2011 began in fiscal year 2013 based on the Consumer Price Index for the preceding 12-month period.
Burial Flags
The VA provides an American flag to drape the casket of a veteran and to a person entitled to retired military pay. After the funeral service, the flag may be given to the next of kin or a close associate. The VA also will issue a flag on behalf of a service member who was missing in action and later presumed dead. Flags are issued at VA regional offices, national cemeteries, and post offices.
Burials in National Cemeteries
Burial benefits in a VA national cemetery include the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care. Many national cemeteries have columbaria for the inurnment of cremated remains or special gravesites for the burial of cremated remains. Headstones and markers and their placement are provided at the government’s expense.
Veterans and armed forces members who die on active duty are eligible for burial in one of VA’s 114 national cemeteries. An eligible veteran must have been discharged or separated from active duty under honorable or general conditions and have completed the required period of service. Persons entitled to retired pay as a result of 20 years creditable service with a reserve component are eligible. A U.S. citizen who served in the armed forces of a government allied with the United States in a war also may be eligible.
Spouses and minor children of eligible veterans and of armed forces members also may be buried in a national cemetery. A surviving spouse of an eligible veteran who married a non-veteran, and whose remarriage was terminated by death or divorce, is eligible for burial in a national cemetery.
Gravesites in national cemeteries cannot be reserved. Funeral directors or others making burial arrangements must apply at the time of death. Reservations made under previous programs are honored. The National Cemetery System normally does not conduct burials on weekends. A weekend caller, however, will be directed to on of three strategically located VA cemetery offices that remain open during weekends to schedule burials at the cemetery of the caller’s choice during the following week.
Headstones and Markers
VA provides headstones and markers for the unmarked graves of veterans anywhere in the world and for eligible dependents of veterans buried in national, state veteran or military cemeteries. These headstones and markers may be in flat bronze, flat granite, flat marble, upright granite and upright marble types in a style consistent with the place of burial. Niche markers also are available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated remains.
Headstones and markers are inscribed with the name of the deceased, the years of birth and death, and branch of service. Optional inscription at VA expense may include: military grade, rank or rate; war service such as World War II; months and days of birth and death; an emblem reflecting one’s beliefs; valor awards; and the Purple Heart. Additional items may be inscribed at private expense.
When burial is in a national, state veteran or military cemetery, the headstone or marker is ordered through the cemetery, which will place it on the grave. Information regarding style, inscription, shipping and placement can be obtained from the cemetery.
